Cursor with displayed selection retrieval area

Abstract

A graphical user interface system and method for user activated selection of a displayed object. On a display screen of an information processor, a cursor shape and an external shape of a retrieval area surrounding the retrieval area shape are displayed. At the tip of an arrow-like cursor shape, a cursor reference position is blinked and displayed in accordance with the arrow-like cursor shape. An object is selected by operating a pointing device such as a mouse to move the cursor so that at least part of the object enters into the retrieval area shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An information processor in which a cursor is moved on an information display screen to select an object designated by the cursor, the processor comprising: area setting means for setting a retrieval area on the information display screen by referencing a cursor position, the set retrieval area having a center offset from the referenced cursor position; and   selection means for retrieving an object present within the set retrieval area.   
     
     
       2. The information processor of claim 1, wherein within the retrieval area a reference cursor position for object retrieval is displayed on the information display screen in a mode different from the display mode of the cursor itself. 
     
     
       3. The information processor of claim 1, wherein the processor includes a plurality of shapes as potential retrieval areas, any of which may be selected. 
     
     
       4. An information processor in which a displayed cursor is moved on an information display screen to input and process an object designated by the cursor, the processor comprising: display control means for displaying a retrieval area in a predetermined relation to a cursor position on the information display screen; and   selection means for retrieving an object present within the displayed retrieval area by referencing the cursor position.   
     
     
       5. The information processor of claim 4, wherein within the retrieval area a reference cursor position for object retrieval is displayed on the information display screen in a mode different from the display mode of the cursor itself. 
     
     
       6. The information processor of claim 4, wherein the processor includes a plurality of shapes as potential retrieval areas, any of which may be selected. 
     
     
       7. The information processor of claim 4, wherein the retrieval area of the display control means includes a shape which is a combination of a nearly circular shape and an arrow-shaped cursor. 
     
     
       8. The information processor according to claim 4, wherein the cursor is arrow shaped and the tip of the arrow shaped cursor corresponds to the cursor coordinate position and the center of the set retrieval area. 
     
     
       9. The information processor according to claim 4, wherein the boundary of the retrieval area is displayed to the user as four T-shaped figures. 
     
     
       10. The system according to claim 4, wherein the displayed retrieval area moves as the cursor moves. 
     
     
       11. The information processor according to claim 4, wherein the cursor is substantially circular shaped and the boundary of the displayed retrieval area corresponds to the boundary of the displayed cursor shape. 
     
     
       12. A graphical user interface system with which a user selects a displayed object by moving a displayed cursor within proximity of the displayed object, the location of the cursor being defined by a coordinate position, said system comprising: a memory for storing a coordinate position defining the location of the displayed object; and   a processor for setting a shaped retrieval area designating a range of reference coordinate positions for ordered comparison with the object coordinate position, the set retrieval area having a center which is offset from the cursor coordinate position, said processor performing an ordered comparison of the reference coordinate positions with the object coordinate position to determine whether the object has been selected.   
     
     
       13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the cursor is arrow shaped and the retrieval area is set in accordance with the pointing direction of the arrow shaped cursor. 
     
     
       14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the cursor is moved with either a mouse or a pen and tablet combination input device, and the retrieval area is set in accordance with which input device is used. 
     
     
       15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the retrieval area is set based on an indication of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. 
     
     
       16. A graphical user interface system with which a user selects a displayed object by moving a cursor within proximity of the displayed object, said system comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of potential retrieval area configurations;   a display screen for displaying to the user the plurality of potential retrieval area configurations;   an input device for receiving a user designated selection of one of the displayed potential retrieval area configurations, the selected retrieval area configuration being used to determine subsequent object selection.   
     
     
       17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the selected retrieval area configuration is displayed during subsequent use of the system. 
     
     
       18. A method for selecting a displayed object in accordance with movement of a displayed cursor within proximity of the displayed object, the location of the cursor being defined by a coordinate position, said method comprising the steps of: storing a coordinate position defining the location of the displayed object;   setting a shaped retrieval area designating a range of reference coordinate positions for ordered comparison with the object coordinate position, the set retrieval area having a center which is offset from the cursor coordinate position; and   performing an ordered comparison of the reference coordinate positions with the object coordinate position to determine whether the displayed object has been selected.   
     
     
       19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the cursor is arrow shaped and the retrieval area is set in accordance with the pointing direction of the arrow shaped cursor. 
     
     
       20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the cursor is moved with either a mouse or a pen and tablet combination input device, and the retrieval area is set in accordance with which input device is used. 
     
     
       21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the retrieval area is set based on an indication of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. 
     
     
       22. A method for selecting a displayed object in accordance with movement of a cursor within proximity of the displayed object, said method comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of potential retrieval area configurations;   displaying to the user the plurality of potential retrieval area configurations; and   receiving a user designated selection of one of the displayed potential retrieval area configurations for subsequent displayed object selection.   
     
     
       23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the selected retrieval area configuration is displayed during subsequent displayed object selection. 
     
     
       24. A method for selecting a displayed object in accordance with movement of a displayed cursor within proximity of the displayed object, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a retrieval area in a predetermined relation to the displayed cursor; and   determining whether a coordinate position representing the location of the displayed object is present within the displayed retrieval area.   
     
     
       25. The method according to claim 24, wherein a plurality of potential retrieval area configurations are stored in memory. 
     
     
       26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the cursor is arrow shaped and the tip of the arrow shaped cursor corresponds to the cursor coordinate position and the center of the set retrieval area. 
     
     
       27. The method according to claim 24, wherein the boundary of the retrieval area is displayed to the user as four T-shaped figures. 
     
     
       28. The method according to claim 24, wherein the displayed retrieval area moves as the user moves the cursor. 
     
     
       29. The method according to claim 24, wherein the displayed cursor is substantially circular shaped and the boundary of the displayed retrieval area corresponds to the boundary of the displayed cursor shape.